Reversible machine



July 15 1924.

1.501534 0-. FORKEL v REVERSIBLE MACHINE Filed May 20. 1922 eats-Sheet 1 .Fui 1s 1924. 1,501,534

' O. FORKEL BEVBRS IBLE MACHINE Filed'uay 20. 1922 2 spam-sheet '2 .li'yi. .531; I

Patented July 15, 1924,

OTTO FOR-REL, OF BERLIN-WEISSENSEE, GERMANY.

REVERSIBLE MACHINE.

Application filed May 20, 1922. Serial No 562,543.

To all t mom it may concern: I

Be itknown that I, OTTO FoRKEL, a citi- Zen of the German Republic, residing at- Berlineissensee, in the Republic of Prussia, Germany, have invented certain new and construct the reversing useful Improvements in Reversible Machines (for which I have filed applications in Germany on April 22, 1921, Number F 49,111 and on November 18, 1921, Number F 50,603), of which the following is a specification. i

My invention relates to improvements in reversible machines, such as rolling mills and planing machines, and more particularly in machines of the class in which power storing means areprovided for'taking. up the kinetic energy of the movable member when moving in one direction and transmitting the same to the said member at the beginning of the return stroke. Oneof the objects of the improvements is to construct the power storing mechanism so that it is adapted for operation in case of varying lengths of the stroke. Another object of the improvements is to provide power storing means by means of which a large proportion of the energy stored during one stroke is made use of during the return stroke. A further object is to mechanism so that it is made operative only after the movable member has been brought to a speed substantially equal to that of the operating mechanism, so that the shock otherwise caused by throwing the mechanism into operation is avoided. \Vith these and other objects in view my invention consists in the matters to be described hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the appended claims. For the purpose of explaining the invention several examples embodying the same have been shown in the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference characters have been used in all the views to indicate corresponding parts. In said drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the driving and power storing mechanism partly in section and in connection with a planing machine,

Fig. 2 is a detail view showing the mechanism controlling the power storing means,

Fig. 3, is an end view showing a cam disk connected with the power storing apparatus for transmitting power thereto,

Fig. 4, 1s anrend view showing a modification of the part illustrated in Fig. 3,

7 Fig.5, is a detail view illustrating the con trolling mechanism for the reversing mechanism,

Fig. 6, is a plan view-of a part ofthe mechanism sho-wnin Fig. 5 and illustrating one of the sets of cam members, and

Figs. 7 and 8, are respectively an elevation and a plan view of (the other set of cam members showing a modified form said members. I

In describing the invention reference will be made to a planing machine. But I wish it to be understood that my invention is not limited to the use in a planing machine.

In the example shown in the drawings the table of the planing machine is adapted to be reciprocated by mechanism comprising a shaft 13 receiving power from a suitable source. To show what may be done two stepped pulleys 95 and 96 are keyed to the shaft 13. In some cases and more particularly. where the shaft carries a single pulley, I key a fly wheel 97 to the shaft 13. As

of the shown theshaft 13 is operated for rotation in one direction, and the number of revolutions of the shaft is changed only in such cases in which it is desired to operate the machine table with different cutting speeds. To the shaft 13 a pinion 12 is keyed which is in mesh with a spur-gear 11 keyed to a shaft 19 carrying a pinion 9 and a sprocket wheel 10. At the side of the shaft 19 a shaft 20 is mounted which carries. an axially slidable and non-rotatable clutch member 8 adapted for coupling engagement either with a sprocket wheel 5 loose on the shaft 20 and connected by a chain 74:, with the sprocket wheel 10, or with a clutch member 6 connected with a gear wheel 7 in driving engagement with the pinion 9 and loosely mounted on the shaft 20. Therefore, by throwing the clutch member into engagement either with the sprocket wheel 5 or with the clutch member 6, the shaft can be made to rotate in one or the other direction. The clutch member 8 is formed with an annular groove 8, engaged by one arm of a bell crank lever 64: for being shifted thereby in one or the other direction, as will be described hereafter. As shown, the ratios of the diameters of the wheels 5 and 10, and 7 and 9. are different, so that the cutting and return strokes are performed with different speeds. From the shaft 20 rotary movement t 21 tothe member is transmittedthrough gear wheels 4 and 3, a shaft 21, gear wheels 2 and 1, and a toothed crank (not shown) engaged by the gear wheel 1 to the table of the machine, which has reciprocating movement on the frame 75, as is known in the art.

. In my improved apparatus means are provided for storing the power of the moving table near the end of the stroke thereof, and as shown such power storing means consist of a pneumatic cylinder 39 having a piston 38 movable therein. To the table 30' adjustable cam members 28 and 29 are secured which are in position for engagement with a roller 27 mounted 011 one arm of a bell crank lever 26 having rocking support on a horizontal pivot bolt 26 secured to the machine frame 75. The bell crank lever 26 is connected by a link 77 with one arm of a bell crank lever 24-engaging with its other arm in an annular groove 78 of a clutch member 22 which is axially slidable but non-rotatable on the shaft 21. The clutch member 22 cooperates with aclutch member 31 loosely mounted on the shaft 21 and having a hub 78.. If the bell crank lever 26 is depressed by one of the cams 28 or 29, the clutch members 22 and 31 are thrown into coupling engagement so that rotary movement is imparted by the shaft 31 and its hub '78, and a chain 32 secured with one end to the hub is wound'thereon; The opposite end of the chain is attached to a. cross-head 33 -con nected byrods 34 with a cross-head 35 slidable on rods 98 and connected withthe piston 38 through a piston rod 37. If the'chain vessel 41 and one or more of the 32 is wound on the hub .78 in the manner described the piston 38 is forced to the left and into the pressure of the elastic fluid confined within the said cylinder and a vessel 41 communicating therewith through a pipe 40. Therefore the fluid pressure within the cylinder and vessel rises .in a degree depending on the capacity of the vessel 41 and the cylinder. As shownfthe vessel 41 is adapted to be thrown into communication with one or more subsidiary receptacles 80, 81 and 82 by means of valves 84, 85 and 86. By establishing communication between the subsidiary receptacles 80, 81 and 82 the volume of fluid acted upon by the piston 38 is increased and the increase of the fluid pressure caused by the movement of the piston is reduced accordingly. For supplying pressure fluid to the vessel 41, as may be necessary in case of leakage, the vessel is connected-with a suitable supply such as a compressed airpipe 91 including a check valve 92. The pipe 91 is connected to a mam pipe or a compressor (not shown). By the compression of the fluid within the cylinder 39 thepressure acting on the pis cylinder and against the is increased. However, it is desirable that the power exerted on the shaft 21 be uniform or substantially uniform. Therefore I prefer to vary the leverage of the pressure of the piston 38 on the shaft- 21, which may be done for example by constructing the hub 78 in the form of an eccentric cam, as is shown in Fig. 3. Therefore the leverage of the pressure is gradually reduced to the length 3 as the piston moves within the cylinder 39 and the pressure of the fluid is increased. In the modification shown in Fig. 4 the hub is provided with two sections 87 and 88 joined at 89 and adapted to be set at different distances apart. In the narrowest position shown in Fig. 4 in dotted lines and indicated by the characters 87 and 88 the leverage is reduced from the length :0 to the length 3 The sectional members .87 and 88 can be fixed in set positions by suitable means such as screws 90 engaging in slots 90 i The mechanism controlling the movement of the table 30 of the planing machine is shown in F igs, 1 and 8. To one end of the table plates 43 and 47 are secured which are adjustable longitudinally of the table by being clampedv to anundercut slot 69 by means of, screws 68. Similar plates are secured to the opposite end of the table. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the said plates are secured directly to the table 30, While in the modification shown in Figs. 7 and 8 two plates 45 and 49 are secured to a plate 67 formed with a slot for the longitudinal adjustment of the plates 45, 49 thereon and secured to the table 30 by meansof clamping screws 72 engaging in a longitudinal slot 73 of the table. The said plates 67 may be rigidly connected each with one of the cam plates 28 or 29 shown in Fig. 2, in which case when changing the stroke of the table only the plates 67 must be set, and independent setting of the cam plates for throwing the power storing means into and out of operation and the plates controlling theI driving mechanism may, be dispensed wit 1.

On .the plates 43, 47 and 45, 49 pawls 42, 46 and 44, 48 are rockingly mounted the rocking movement of which is limited by pins 65 and 66.

Adjacent to the path of the said pawls a pair of bell crank levers 51, 51? and 54, 55, 55 are rockingly mounted at 50, the .bell crank lever 51, 51 having one arm 51 in position for engagement with the pawls 42, 4G and '44, 48 and the bell crank lever 54, 55 two arms 54 and 55. The pawls 42, 46cand 44, 48 are all constructed for rocking the bell crank levers respectively in opposite directions, the pawls 42 and 44 rocking the lovers when the table is travelling to the left and yielding when the table is moving to the right, and the pawls 46 and 48 rocking the levers with the table tavelling to the right and yielding with the table moving to the left. The pawls 42 and 44 throw the operating mechanism into and out of operation when the table performs its return stroke, and the pawls 48 and 46 when the table performs its cutting stroke. The pawls 42 and 4S and the arm 51 are disposed within the same vertical plane and the said pawls are adapted to rock the arm to the left. The pawls 44 and 46 cooperate with the arms 54 and 55. The arms 51 and 55 are connected by links 57 and 57 with arack 59 engaged by a pinion 60 adapted to be held either in one of two end positions or in an intermediate position by a powerful leaf spring 61 adapted to bear on either one of three faces of acam 61 secured to the pinion 60. The pinion is connected with an arm 62 having a pin62 secured thereto, which pin is connectedby a link 63 with one arm of the bell crank lever 64, the other arm of which engages in the annular groove of the clutch member 8 for forcing the said member into coupling engagement with the members 5 or 6 or holding the same in an intermediate or inoperative position, as has been described above with reference to Fig. 1. For causing the table to perform the working; stroke the clutch 5, 8 is closed, for performing the return stroke the clutch 6, 8 is closed, and when reversing the mechanism the member 8 is in an intermediate position.

By connecting the bell crank levers 51, 51 and 54, 55, 55 in the manner described one of the arms 51, 54, or 55 is in position for operation by the pawls 42, 46, 44 and 48. If the arm 51 has been operated for causing one movement of the table, one of the arms 54, 55 is set in operative position, and if the said arm is rocked in the same direction as the arm 51, the driving mechanism is thrown out of operation and the arm 51 is again set in operative position.

In the position shown in the figures the machine table begins its return stroke from the right to the left. The pawl 42 rocks the arm 51 to the left and sets the clutch 6, 8

in coupling position for starting the return movement of the table. Simultaneously the arm 54 is rocked by the links 57 57 into op' erative position. Atthe end of the return stroke the pawl 44 engages the arm 54 and rocks the same together with the arm 51 and the clutch member 8 into initial position. The working stroke is controlled in a similar way, with the exception, however, that the arm 51 being rocked to the right the arm 55 is set in operative position, which is thereafter rocked to the right and into inoperative position, whereupon the parts are again in the initial position shown in the figures.

1 wish it to be understood that the mechanism described herein has been shown merely by way of example and for the purpose of explaining the invention, and that I do not limit myself to the construction shown herein. Another way of putting the invention into effect consists in providing electromagnetic means for controlling the movement of the machine table.

An important feature of the invention resides in throwing the driving mechanism into and out of operation during the same stroke, which enables me to reverse the machine without shocks and to use high velocities for the return movement of the table.

In such cases in which the difference of the working velocity and that of the return stroke is large I prefer to provide an additional power storing member coupled only during the slow working stroke in order to avoid shocks on the operating mechanism. The said power storing member is adapted to be coupled for example by means of a friction clutch adapted to throw the clutch 15, 16 into coupling engagement when the shaft 20 rotates in the direction for performing the working stroke, and to throw the said clutch out of coupling engagementwhen the shaft rotates in the opposite direction.

The fly wheel and the gear wheel 17 are carried along by the clutch through spur gears.

The power of the fly wheel 18 is such that its kinetic energy together with the kinetic energy of the machine during the working stroke is equal to the kinetic energy of the machine excluding that of the fly wheel upon the return stroke.

The fly wheel will answer its purpose with any cutting velocity, because the ratio of the velocities of the working and .return strokes remains constant.

From the foregoing description of the invention it will be understood that the shocks ordinarily connected with the reversing of 'machines of the class referred to are avoided, the kinetic energy being transmitted to the power storing means 38, 39. After reversing the machine the power which has thus been stored is made use of for accelerating the reversible member of the machine. An important feature of the invention resides in so controlling the power storing means that after reversing the movable member is accelerated exclusively by the power stored in the pneumatic cylinder, the driving mechanism being thrown into operation only after the velocity of the driven member has become equal to that of the driving member. Thereby I avoid the shocks which in constructions now in use are transmitted to the driving mechanism. Another important feature resides in providing adjustable controlling members for the power storing means, which thereby can be thrown into operation at any period of the trolling the power storing stroke of the table or other movable 1nember. The mechanism is comparatively simple in construction by being equipped with a single power storing member which is operative during the forward and return strokes.

The reversing mechanism is constructed so that during the same stroke of the table the driving mechanism is thrown into and out of operation.

By properly setting the cam plates conand driving mechanism I am enabled, at the end of the low speed or working stroke, at first to set the powerstoring means into position for taking up power, and thereafter to throw the driving mechanism out of operation, when suiiicient power has been stored to impart to the table performing the return stroke the velocity corresponding to the velocity of the oriving mechanism. Furthermore I am enabled, near the end of the return stroke, to throw the driving mechanism out of operation after connecting the power storing means to the mechanism, sothat just so much power isstored as is required for accelerating the table to the low velocity of the working stroke.

In case of high velocity of the return stroke the power storing member must be.

under high tension at the end of the working stroke. Therefore I am enabled, by providing the subsidiary fly wheel 18, to render the power required during the slow working and high speed return stroke substantially equal, said subsidiary fly wheel being in operative connection with the driving mechanism and able only during the low speed working stroke.

iVhile in describing the invention reference has been made to a planing machine comprising a clutch and rack for operating the table, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the use of the invention in a mechanism of this type, and that my invention is not limited to machines having rectilinear reciprocating movement. My invention is adapted for use in machines of any type comprising reversing mechanism, such for example as reversible rolling mills having rotary movement.

Furthermore, I do not limit myself to the constructions shown in the figures. For eX ample my invention can be used in planing machines the operatingmechanism of which comprises an operating spindle in lieu of the rack shown herein, and. in which in lieu of stepped pulleys a single pulley or an electromotor is used.

I do not limit myself to the construction of the reversing mechanism shown herein. My invention may also be used in machines which are reversed by shifting the belt of the belt gearing, or by electromagnetic clutches, or by a reversible motor or a reversible steam engine. Furthermore additional power storing members different from the fly wheel 18 may be used. The pneumatic power storing means shown herein may be replaced by other power storing means, such for example as hydraulic means, springs, or weights.

I claim:

l. A reversing mechanism for machines with reversible movement in which the live force of the reversible member is stored up together with further energy taken from the drive, embodying a reversible member, main driving mechanism for said member and means for uncoupling and also recoupling the driving mechanism during; each stroke of the reversible member, power-storing means and devices for automatically coupling the same with the driving mechanism toward the end of each stroke of the reversible member, means being provided whereby the recoupling of the driving mechanism is delayed until the power-storing means has accelerated the reversible member to a velocity equal or substantially equal to that of the said driving mechanism.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with the driving means, reversing mechanism, and the member to be reversed, of power storing means interposed between said driving means and member to be reversed, and means under control by said member to be reversed to throw said power storing means into and out of operation.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with the driving means, reversing mechanism, and the member to be reversed, of power storing means, and means under control by said member to be reversed to throw said power storing means into and out of operation.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with the driving means, reversing mechanism and the member to be reversed, of power storing means interposed between said driving means and member to be reversed, a clutch for connecting and disconnecting said power storing means to the member to be reversed, and means adapted to be thrown into operation at variable periods of the movement of the member to be reversed for opening and closing said clutch.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with the driving means, reversing mechanism, and the member to be reversed, of power storing means, means under control by said member to be reversed and operative prior to operating the reversing mechanism for throwing said power storing means into power storing operation, and means to throw said power storing means out of operation.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination with the driving means, reversioa - between said driving means ing mechanism, and the member to be reversed, of power storing means, means under control by said member to be reversed and adjustable for being made operative prior to operating the reversing mechanism for throwing said power storing means into power storing operation.

7. In av machine of the class described,the combination, with a member adapted to be reversed, driving means and reversing means therefor, of power storing means connected with the member to be reversed, and subsidiary power storing means adapted to be connected to and disconnected from said member to be reversed.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with a member adapted to be reversed, driving means and reversing means therefor, of power storing means connected with the member to be reversed, and subsidiary power storing means adapted to be connected to said member to be reversed during one stroke thereof and to be dist-1on nected therefrom during the opposite stroke.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a member adapted to be reversed, driving means and reversing means therefor, of power-storing means connected with the member to be reversed, subsidiary power-storing means adapted to be connected "to and disconnected from said member to be reversed, abutment members independent of the reversing means adjustably mounted on said member to be reversed and cooperating witha coupling mechanism adapted to connect and disconnect said subsidiary power-storing means.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with the driving means, reversing mechanism, and the member to be reversed, of power storing means interposed between said driving means and member to be reversed, a clutch for connecting and disconnecting said power storing means and member to be reversed, abutment members secured to the member to be reversed, and mechanism controlled by said abutment members and adapted to operate said clutch.

1.1. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with the driving means, reversing mechanism, and the member to be reversed, of power storing means interposed to be reversed, a clutch for connecting and disconnecting said power storing means and member to be reversed, a cam disk connected with said clutch, a tension member adapted to be wound on said cam member and connected with said power storing means, abutment members secured to the member to be reversed, and mechanism controlled by said abutment members and adapted to operate said clutch.

12. In a machine of the class described,

()5 the combination, with the driving means,

between said driving means reversing mechanism and the member to be reversed, of power storing means interposed between said driving means and member to be reversed, a clutch for connecting and disconnecting said power member to be reversed, a cam disk in the form of a cylinder connected with said clutch, a tension member adapted to be wound on said cam member and connected with said power members secured to the member to be reversed, and mechanism controlled by said abutment members and adapted to operate said clutch.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with the driving means, reversing mechanism, and the member to be reversed, of power storing means interposed and member to be reversed, a clutch for connecting and disconnecting said power storing means and member to be reversed, a cam disk in the form of a cylinder eccentrically connected with said clutch, a tension member adapted to be wound on said cam member and connected with said power restoring means, said tension member engaging the cam member when not wound thereon at a part of larger radius than when wound thereon, abutment members secured to the memher to be reversed, and mechanism controlled by said abutment members and adapted to operate said clutch.

14-. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with the driving means, reversing mechanism, and the member to be reversed,'of power storing means interposed between said driving means and member to be reversed, a clutch for connecting and disconnecting said power storing means and member to be reversed, a cam disk formed with radially adjustable cam faces and connected with said clutch, a tension member adapted to be wound on said cam member and connected with said power storing means, abutment members secured to the member to be reversed, and mechanism controlled by said abutment members and adapted to operate said clutch.

15. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with the driving means, reversing mechanism, and the member to be reversed, of pneumatic power storing means connected with the compressed air supply of the power system of the factory, and a check valve intermediate said pneumatic power storing means and compressed air supply;

1.6. In a machine of the class described, the combination, with the driving means, reversing mechanism, and the member to be reversed, of pneumatic power storing means, and means to vary the capacity of said pneumatic power storing means.

17. In a machine of the class described,

storing means and storing means, abutment operation.

18. A reversing mechanism for machines with reversible movement in which the hve force of the reversible member is stored up together with further energy taken from the drive embodying a reversible member, main drivlng mechanism for said member. and

means actuated by the movement of the reversible member for uncoupling and also recoupling the driving mechanism during each stroke of the reversible member, power-storing means and devices actuated by the movement of the reversible member for automatically coupling the same with the drivmg mechanism toward the end of each stroke of the reversible 'member, means be ing provided whereby the recoupling of the driving mechanism is delayed until the power-storing means has accelerated the reversible member to a velocity equal or sub stantially equal to that of the said driving mechanism.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

OTTO FOR-REL;

lVitnesses HARLIN P. ARRENS, OTTO DILBRUCK. 

